NOV 7 – Film screening: I RAGAZZI DI MONTE LUNGO by Andrea Branchi

Monte Lungo, Central Italy, about 15 km south of Montecassino. December 8, 1943. Italian units fight their first battle under Allied command, against the German army.

Combining interviews with the veterans, original footage and re-enactments with actors, the film recounts the story of one of those units: the 51st Bersaglieri Battalion Reserve Officer Cadets, from the armistice of the 8th of September 1943 to the battle of Monte Lungo, the baptism of fire of the reborn Italian army. After a week of heavy combat, the Italian and the American flags flew together on the top of Monte Lungo. There, the Italian fighters demonstrated their determination to fight Nazi-Fascism and, at the same time, regained Allied trust for the Italian nation.

The author and co-director of the film, AUR’s Professor Andrea Branchi, will be present along with his father Rosolo Branchi, who was an officer-cadet in the 51st Battallion that fought at Monte Lungo. Both will be happy to answer any questions.